Composite closure cap

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a cap ( 1 ) comprising as assembly consisting of: a) a plastic insert ( 2 ) comprising a head ( 3 ) with closure means ( 31, 32 ) and a threaded skirt ( 4 ), and b) a metal wall. The invention is characterised in that: 1) said metal wall ( 5 ) covers all or part of the outer surface of said insert ( 2 ) and includes at least a metal skirt ( 51 ) for receiving said skirt ( 4 ) of said insert ( 2 ); said metal skirt ( 51 ) includes an edge ( 510 ) crimped to said insert ( 2 ) so as to assemble together said metal wall ( 5 ) and said insert ( 2 ); 3) said cap comprises means designed to provide weight and/or volume to the part of said cap located above said sealing closure means ( 31, 32 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of screw caps, typically for theclosure of containers, bottles or flasks designed to be used forspirits, such as cognac, whisky, bourbon, etc . . . and typically forthe closure of glassware containers with necks having a diameter greaterthan the standard diameter, usually 30.5 mm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART.

Composite screw caps are already well known. Thus the French applicationNo 9706009 in the name of the applicant describes a metal screw cap witha threaded plastic insert, the insert being held within the metal capusing an adhesive layer inside the metal cap, said layer comprising saidplastic in a divided state.

Furthermore the screw caps typically used in the specific area of theinvention are normally threaded caps made from moulded bakelite.

The American patent U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,297 also describes a screw caputilising a threaded plastic insert fitted inside a metallic envelope,the lower extremity of this envelope being rolled in order to enter theplastic insert and thus be protected from corrosion.

Furthermore, in other areas not related to this invention, the Frenchinvention FR 1362 085 is well known which describes a cap for perfumebottles. This stopper comprises a threaded plastic cap which provides asupport for a metal disc and a cap, the whole unit being assembled usinga crimped metal ring.

In this same field of cosmetics, there is the known internationalapplication WO99/06294, which describes a stopper for cosmetic products,in plastics material, where the skirt is covered with a crimped metalsheath.

Finally, in the field of infant baby foods, there is the knowninternational application WO98/52833 which describes the PT(Press-on/Twist-off) caps which comprise an annular preformed mouldedannular seal fitted to the metal cap by rolling of the lower edge of themetal cap.

Caps using current bakelite techniques are known to adhere to the glassthreads, which can make opening very difficult.

Moreover, these bakelite caps project a very traditional image, such animage being sought in certain areas, but which more often than not isnot desirable, since tastes change with time even for well knowntraditional brands.

Thus it is important to provide a manufacturer of spirits and alcohol ameans of renewing the packaging of the bottled alcohol, spirits andliqueurs, principally by way of a new cap that fulfils the technicalfunction of the existing caps, but also offers the possibilities ofmodernising the product in aspects other than technical, and where alltoo often such aspects dominate as the technical differences betweenproducts become blurred.

Finally, it is important that these caps rely on a small number ofdistinct parts from which they are assembled and/or rely on a smallnumber of manufacturing phases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The composite screw cap in accordance with the invention comprises anassembly of a) a plastic insert comprising a head fitted with aleakproof stopper sealing arrangement and a threaded skirt, and b) ametallic envelope in which :

-   1) the said metallic envelope covers all or part of the exterior    surface of the head of the said insert and comprises at least a    metallic skirt that covers the said skirt of the said insert,-   2) the said metallic skirt comprises an edge that is crimped to the    said insert, typically at the lower edge of the skirt of the said    insert, in order to ensure the correct assembly of the said metallic    envelope and the said insert,    and is characterised by the said cap comprising a way of providing    weight and/or volume to the part of the said capsule situated above    the said arrangement used to provide the leakproof stopper.

This cap resolves the problems posed. In particular, the invention makesit possible to transform a screw cap into a top-of-the-range stopper,notably because of its looks and volume, and/or by the feel when the capis handled, due typically to the weight, as will become apparent in thefigures of the invention which serve to illustrate several embodimentsof the invention, notably in the areas where weight and volume above thesealed screw cap have been added. Moreover this screw cap remainseconomical to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

All the figures relate to the invention.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 a, 6, 6 a, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are crosssections along the vertical axis 10 of the cap 1.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 12, the cross sections are in respect ofscrew caps fitted to a threaded bottle neck 7, the cap 1 is representedin section, whereas the neck is represented in cross section on theright part of the figure and in perspective on the left part of thefigure.

In FIG. 1, the way that volume is provided is by using a void 30 whichforms a significant added height above the detachable seal 31.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, and also comprises a supplementary object 6inserted into the void 30, typically in order to weight the said cap.

FIGS. 3 to 3 a refer to another type of plastic insert 2 in which thesaid void 30 has radial partitions 300, in order to maintain thedetachable seal (not shown) in a strictly fixed position.

FIG. 3 a is a view from below and FIG. 3 b is a perspective side viewfrom below.

In FIG. 3 a, 6 voids 40 have been shown and these are designed to ensurethe metallic envelope 5 and insert 2 are locked together duringrotation, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4 a.

FIGS. 4 and 5 represent capsules analogous to those shown in FIGS. 1 and2 respectively, but they differ in that the leakproof sealingarrangement is provided by a circular sealing lip 32.

FIG. 4 a is a magnified view of the left inner end of the caprepresented in FIG. 4, illustrating a cut-out 40 in the lower edge 41 ofthe insert 2 in which is crimped the end 5100 of the skirt 51 in orderto lock together during rotation the metallic envelope 5 and the insert2.

FIG. 5 a shows the metallic envelope 5 prior to assembly. Shown at thelower end of the skirt 51 is the crimping edge 510, shown as straightlines of the metallic envelope prior to assembly, and as dotted linesonce crimped to the insert, and thus folded inwards, the crimping edge5100 also shown as dotted lines, representing the part of the edge thathas been crimped into the cut-out 40 of the insert.

FIGS. 6 to 7 represent the case where the head 50 of the metallicenvelope 5 provides an orifice 500, as shown in FIG. 6 a, and asupplementary object 6, 6′, which passes through this orifice, in orderto increase the volume of the part of the cap located above thedetachable seal 31 which provides the leak proof sealing arrangement.

In FIG. 6 the cap includes a supplementary object 6 which passes throughthe said orifice 500 and with its circular foot attached between the rimof the insert and the head 50 of the metallic envelope.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7, it is the plastic insert itself thatpasses through the said orifice in the shape of a protrusion to form thesupplementary object 6′.

In FIG. 8, which is similar to FIG. 5, a cap equipped with retentionlips 33 has been shown which allows a semi-permanent attachment betweenthe cap 1 and a pourer 9 fitted with circular attachment ribs 90 toengage within the neck 7, which has been shown as dotted lines in theleft half of the figure.

In FIG. 9, which is similar to FIG. 2, a screw cap 1 is shown fittedwith an outer sealing cover 8 either crimped or heat shrunk in placebeneath the lower surface of the thread 71 of the neck 7, and comprisingtwo tear lines 80 which provide a tongue 81 for initial opening of thecontainer.

In FIG. 10, which is similar to FIG. 5, the orifice 500 of the head 50of the metallic envelope is closed with a component made from atransparent material 62 with a supplementary object 6 within the void30.

In FIG. 11, which is similar to FIG. 5, the void 30 extends over thefull cross sectional area of the cap, and is contained with the spacebetween the insert head 3 and the head 50 of the metallic envelope.

In FIG. 12, which is similar to FIG. 7, the supplementary object is adetachable item 6″ which is clipped or clicked into the head 3 of theinsert 2, and which as a result is able to present a much largerdiameter than that of the orifice 500 itself—this item 6″ may also beattached to the remainder of the cap with a screw thread or adhesive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, the said crimped edge 510 of the saidmetallic skirt 51 may cover all or a part of the lower edge 40 of theskirt 4 of the said insert 2.

As illustrated in all the figures relating to the caps 1, the crimpededge 510 in fact hides the insert 2 which cannot be seen by the consumerwhen opening and closing the cap 1. This enables the “technical” and“aesthetic” functions to be separated, the “technical” functions such asthose involving sealing, screwing, general mechanical characteristicswhich are a function of the plastic insert, and the “aesthetic”functions which are a function of the visible surfaces, especially themetallic envelope.

The cap in accordance with the invention may include a void 30 formed inthe said insert 2 or bounded by the said insert 2 with the said metallicenvelope 5 and/or the said sealing arrangement 31, 32. This void 30 islocated above the sealing arrangement 31, 32, the axis 10 of the neckbeing vertical and these sealing arrangements lying in a horizontalplane as shown in the figures.

In all the figures, except FIG. 11, the said void 30 corresponds to avoid within the insert itself.

In all cases, the said void 30 is bounded by the head 3 of the insertand the head 50 of the metallic envelope and/or the sealing arrangement,typically the detachable seal 31.

This void mainly allows the required volume to be attributed to theupper part of the cap, without modifying the “technical” part of thecap, in particular where the sealing and the screw thread is involved.

The said arrangement which provides volume or weight may include asupplementary object 6 locked to the said cap 1, typically duringassembly, and/or by exploiting the said void 30, as illustrated in FIGS.2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

This supplementary object 6 may be a ballast weight with a densityideally greater than 4, typically made of iron, and used to increase theweight of the cap, and held within the said void 30, as shown in theprevious figures except FIG. 6. But, any sort of material could be usedsuch as a piece of mineral, stone or ceramic.

In accordance with the invention, the said supplementary object 6 maycomprise a system of identification and/or detection, an item containinginformation, or a miniature measuring device held within the said void,possibly adding to the weight of the cap.

As an example amongst many, it is possible to embed a date marker, atemperature indicator, a hygrometer, with the corresponding transduceror miniaturised measuring instrument contained within the void 30, andin such a case, the void can be blanked with a transparent material 62,as shown in FIG. 10.

In accordance with a configuration of the invention the said metallicenvelope may include a head 50 having an upper orifice 500, such thatthe said insert 2 or its head 3, and/or the said supplementary object 6may emerge through the said orifice 500, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a, 7,8 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the said insert 2 or its head 3 may form anextension passing through the said orifice and thus comprising thesupplementary object 6′.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the said supplementary object 6 comprises abody 60 which passes through the said orifice 500 and a base flange 61which is held inside the said void 30 or between the head of the insert3 and the head of the metallic envelope 50.

This option considerably multiplies the possibilities forpersonalisation of the caps in accordance with the invention, because itis only necessary to alter the supplementary object, by changing itsshape, the material from which it is made (metal, glass, steel, plasticsmaterial, etc. . . . ), without considering the style of the design orsurface texture variations.

In accordance with a particular configuration shown at FIG. 10, the saidorifice 500 may be blanked using a transparent material 62, in order tosee inside the said void 30 or observe its contents which may possiblyinclude the said supplementary object 6.

In accordance with the invention, the said metallic envelope 5 may bemade from aluminium or tin plate, steel, or tin, but typically using 80to 350 μm thick aluminium.

The said insert 2 may be a moulded thermoplastics material, such aspolyolefin, polyester or polyamide.

Preferably, the insert 2 is made from a polyolefin having a yieldstrength under load at 90° C. that is sufficient to avoid the threads ofthe said insert from deforming when the said insert is raised totemperatures as high as 60° C. Among the polyolefins, a copolymer ofpolypropylene is preferable. It may also be advantageous to use highlytransparent plastics material, such as liquid crystal polymers LCP,polycycloolefins COP, for example Zeonor 1600R (R).

Generally speaking, the said metallic envelope 5 can be decoratedexternally, as well as any item passing through the orifice 500 of thehead 50 of the metallic envelope, and which, consequently becomes avisible and integral item of the cap, and thus a part of its image orgeneral appearance, as is the case in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In accordance with the invention, the said leakproof sealing arrangementmay be created using a detachable seal 31, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7and 9 ; it may involve using a sealing lip 32 affixed to the internalsurface of the head of the said insert, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 10and 11.

As shown in FIG. 8, a pouring item 9 possibly preventing the vessel frombeing refilled could be permanently fitted to the said cap 1, typicallywith a click-lock device, using a flexible lip 33 formed on the innersurface of the said head of the insert.

In accordance with a variant of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3 to 3 b,the said void can be partitioned, usually using radial elements 300 orcircular elements.

This partitioning may be useful especially in order to improve themechanical strength of the detachable seal 31 by providing a rigid basefor the seal, and thus improving its sealing performance.

The cap in accordance with the invention may comprise an outer sealingcover 8 which is used to guarantee the tamperproof integrity of the saidcap 1 and provide an easy opening method 80, 81, as shown in FIG. 9.This outer sealing cover 8 could be a sealing capsule, typically of aheat shrink type, with a primary opening band 81 released using two tearlines 80.

It is of course also possible to add to a bottle or flask that has beenclosed using the cap in accordance with the invention any kind of outersealing arrangement known, in order to provide the required tamperproofintegrity.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4 a, the lower edge 41 of the skirt 4 of thesaid insert 2 advantageously includes cut-outs 40, typically 6 in totalspaced at 60° to each other, in which a portion 5100 of the edge 510 ofthe said metallic skirt 51 is crimped, in order to ensure both themetallic skirt 51 and the said skirt 4 of the said insert 2 rotatetogether. Thus without the use of adhesive between the insert 2 and themetallic skirt 5, both these items are locked together in order torotate in unison.

Another object of the invention is a method for the manufacture of a cap1 according to the invention wherein:

a) the said plastic insert 2 with threaded skirt 4, possibly a void, aswell as the said metallic envelope 5 to match the insert and possiblythe detachable seal 31 are supplied,

b) the said supplementary object 6 or any other item used in the finalassembly are supplied,

c) the said plastic insert 2 and the said metallic envelope 5, after‘inclusion’ of the supplementary object 6 or any other item used in thefinal assembly are assembled, and the lower edge 510 of the skirt 51 ofthe metallic envelope 5 is crimped to the lower edge 41 of the skirt 4of the plastic insert 2, and possibly the detachable seal 31 isinserted.

Another object of the invention concerns using the cap according to theinvention as a games feature.

In fact, on the one hand, the fact that there is a void means thatwithin it may be inserted a standard games feature that may producesound, or electromagnetic waves, or contain a smart chip, andfurthermore be used for other means such as identification, and frauddetection, etc . . .

On the other hand, the caps according to the invention may, at least incertain instances, be used once their use as a container, bottle orflask stopper is fulfilled, as a games feature, and typically as a“punching bag” when weighted by a large enough mass in the form of thesupplementary object.

EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

Caps in accordance with the attached figures have been made. For allthese caps, the same external dimensions have been kept for the metallicenvelope 5. These dimensions are the following (see FIGS. 1 and 6 a) :

-   height A: 15.75 mm-   height B (above the seal): 6.8 mm-   diameter C: 35.3 mm-   radius of curvature D: 50 mm-   radius of curvature E: 5 mm-   internal diameter F of the void (or neck): 20 mm-   internal diameter at crest of the thread G: 30 mm-   internal diameter at root of the thread H: 32.8 mm-   diameter of orifice 500 I: 12 mm

The chosen materials are :

-   for the metallic envelope 5: 100 μm thick strip aluminium chosen    from the series 3000 alloy range using the Aluminium Association    nomenclature, either varnished, printed or brushed,-   for the plastic insert 2: a copolymer of PP,-   as the supplementary object 6: a piece of iron weighing 5/10/15/20 g    as in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 has been used,-   in the case of FIG. 6, the supplementary object 6 is made from PE,-   in the case of the caps with seals, a commercial standard seal in    the shape of a washer with an effective diameter of H (32.8 mm) has    been used.

Manufacture of the Caps:

Initially the three types of component used are made separately:

-   the insert 2 has been made using injection moulding,-   the metallic envelope 5 has been made by stamping,-   the supplementary objects 6, 6′ have been supplied where they are    made from iron, or moulded in the case of FIGS. 6 and 7.

They are then assembled. The method of assembly of the differentcomponents may vary depending upon the exact configuration of each cap,but those skilled in the art will identify the appropriate method afterexamining the examples shown in the following figures.

In general, it is usual practice to insert the said supplementaryobjects 6 between the metallic envelope 5 and the insert 2, prior tocrimping the edge 510 of the metallic skirt to the lower edge 41 of theinsert. However, FIGS. 2 (or 9) illustrates a different case : thesupplementary object 6 can be introduced between the insert 2 and thedetachable seal 31, after crimping of the metallic envelope 5 and theinsert 2.

BENEFITS OF THE INVENTION

As shown by the embodiment examples and the figures, the invention opensnumerous possibilities in response to the problems in need of solution.

It provides ways of personalising caps by making it possible tomanufacture an infinite number of different caps without the need tomodify the technical components from which the cap is made, i.e. thethreads, the insert and its interface with the glassware attachmentrings of the bottles or flasks, and all areas affecting the sealing.

Moreover, this invention opens wider horizons for the traditional caps,providing them with new functions, beyond the usual technicalrequirements, notably in the field of games, identification or frauddetection.

Finally, the cap according to the invention is particularly inexpensive,especially when considering that a single crimping of the edge 510, 5100of the metallic envelope 5 to the plastic insert 2 is all that isrequired to lock them together, including in rotation, and to lock inplace the supplementary object 6 whenever included.

LIST OF REFERENCES SCREW CAP 1 VERTICAL AXIS 10 PLASTIC INSERT 2 INSERTHEAD 3 VOID 30 RADIAL PARTITIONS 300 DETACHABLE SEAL 31 SEALING LIPS 32ATTACHMENT LIPS 33 THREADED SKIRT OF INSERT 4 CUT-OUT 40 LOWER EDGE 41METALLIC ENVELOPE 5 HEAD OF ENVELOPE 50 ORIFICE 500 METALLIC SKIRT 51CRIMPING EDGE 510 CRIMPING EDGE in the cut-out 40 5100 SUPPLEMENTARYOBJECT 6 INSERT AND SUPPLEMENTARY OBJECT 6′ CLIPPED OBJECT 6″ BODY 60BASE FLANGE 61 TRANSPARENT BLANK 62 THREADED NECK 7 NECK THREADS 70 NECKTHREAD LOWER SURFACE 71 OUTER SEALING COVER 8 TEAR LINES 80 OPENINGTONGUE 81 POURER 9 FIXING RIBS 90

1. Composite screw cap comprising an assembly a) of a plastic insertcomprising a head fitted with a leakproof sealing arrangement and athreaded skirt, and b) a metallic envelope in which: 1) the metallicenvelope comprises a head which completely covers the head of the insertand at least a metallic skirt which covers the skirt of the insert, 2)the metallic skirt comprises an edge that is crimped to the insert atthe lower edge of the skirt of the insert, in order to ensure theassembly of the metallic envelope and the insert, the cap comprisingmeans for adding weight and/or volume to a part of the cap situatedabove the said sealing arrangement.
 2. cap according to claim 1 in whichthe crimping edge of the metallic skirt covers all or part of the loweredge of the skirt of the insert.
 3. Cap according to claim 1 comprisinga void formed in the insert or bounded by the insert.
 4. Cap accordingto claim 3 in which the void is partitioned using radial or circularelements.
 5. Cap according to claim 1 in which the means for providingweight or volume comprises a supplementary object made integral with thecap.
 6. Cap according to the claim 5 in which the supplementary objectis a ballast weight with a density greater than 4, constructed andarranged to increase the weight of the cap, and held within the saidvoid.
 7. Cap according to the claim 5 in which the supplementary objectcomprises means for identification and/or detection, or an item carryinginformation or a measuring instrument, held within the said void.
 8. Capaccording to claim 1 in which the metallic envelope is made fromaluminum, tin plate, steel or tin.
 9. Cap according to claim 1 in whichthe insert is a thermoplastics material able to be molded.
 10. Capaccording to claim 9 in which the insert is made from a polyolefinhaving a yield strength under load at 90° C. that is sufficient toprevent the threads of the said insert from deforming when the insert israised to a temperature as high as60° C.
 11. Cap according to claim 10in which the polyolefin is a polypropylene copolymer.
 12. Cap accordingto claim 1 in which the said metallic envelope is decorated externally.13. Cap according to claim 1 in which the leakproof sealing arrangementcomprises a detachable seal.
 14. Cap according to claim 1 in which theleakproof sealing arrangement comprises a sealing lip fitted to theinner surface of the head of the insert.
 15. Cap according to claim 1comprising an outer sealing cover which is used to guarantee the tamperproof integrity of the cap and provide an easy means of opening.
 16. Capaccording to claim 15 in which the outer sealing cover is also a sealingcapsule, with a primary opening band released using two tear lines. 17.Cap according to claim 1 in which the lower edge of the skirt of theinsert comprises cutouts spaced at 60° to each other, in which an edgepart of the edge of the metallic skirt is crimped, in order to ensureboth the metallic skirt and the skirt of the insert rotate together. 18.Method of manufacture of a cap according to claim 1 comprising the stepsof: a) supplying the plastic insert with threaded skirt as well as themetallic envelope to match the insert, b) supplying the means for addingweight and/or volume, c) assembling the plastic insert and the metallicenvelope, with inclusion of the means for adding, crimping the loweredge of the skirt of the metallic envelope to the lower edge of theskirt of the plastic insert.